Gather The Experts To Make Money

As is painfully obvious to many out there, it just doesn’t seem to be a cost effective business to publish a (super) niche publication online.  I am talking about publishing a fly-fishing in Co. Mayo magazine online.  Or Chair Upholstery Today (I am pretty sure that that doesn’t exist if someone wants to use it).

The problem is is that it is difficult to pay a bunch of experts and content producers when you are making the kind of revenues that you would expect to generate through advertising online in a narrow niche.  Sure, you might sign up EVERY vendor associated with your topic, but it is not going to add up to too much.  You might even cover your costs, but that lack of ambition is kind of deflating isn’t it?  Especially when we look back at the rewarding past of niche magazine publishing, editions stacked high along a newsagent’s wall, each available for 5 bucks/pounds/euros/punts.

These print editions are now going out of business in their droves.  These brands possess loyalty, valuable reader databases and the skills required to deliver compelling publications. However, many are lacking the knowledge required to deliver on the Internet.  This knowledge is in the hands of others who now have a chance to compete with the current guard.  The doors are wide open to take ownership of a niche, but as I mentioned earlier – it seems impossible to justify your efforts financially.

The only way to achieve a modest profit publishing niche content is if you are the expert yourself and can operate a blog without the expense of outside hires.

AND people don’t pay for content.

So if you are a good ol’ fashioned publisher or entrepreneur why don’t you provide a fantastic SERVICE instead?  Go out and gather the (VERY) finest voices in your niche topic.  Most will be willing to contribute for free as the publicity your service gives them is valuable.  They can use this elsewhere.  Or maybe offer them some cash (a little, 30-50 somethings per whatever).  You’ll need a good web person, because now you should create a really cool experience for your readers online – big pictures, amazing content, EXCLUSIVITY. Why not throw in a hand written note or a t-shirt every month or a personal visit?

Now do your sums and charge accordingly.  People KNOW MAGAZINES, so just charge the same or a little less than is currently being charged by magazine publishers every month.  I wouldn’t mind paying for something like that and the narrower your niche (seen at the moment as a disadvantage online) the bigger chance there will be nothing out there that will offer anything better than you.

And they won’t do as good a job as you in any case.

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